ANDREW AUSTER FROM NEWTON-UPON-DERWENT AND YORK JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YORK TEENAGER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Newton-upon-Derwent and York, Andrew Auster, aged 59, has been sentenced to a 20-week prison term after being convicted of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl. Auster, who is well-known in the area for his role as a ghost walk leader, was found guilty of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity following a jury trial at Bradford Crown Court in December 2016.

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Auster, who has operated his ghost hunting business for over two decades, used the guise of leading guided tours of supposedly haunted locations in York city centre. Dressed in Victorian attire and wearing a top hat, he would attract tourists and enthusiasts, but his interactions with the young girl went far beyond innocent entertainment. The girl, who was only 15 at the time, came to know Auster in 2014 when he was promoting his ghost walk tours in the city.

According to court proceedings, Auster and the girl exchanged numerous text messages over a period of ten days, with the communication escalating from casual or humorous exchanges to more intimate and sexually explicit content. The judge, Catherine Tulk, described the messages as filling 79 pages of A4 paper, highlighting the extent of their correspondence. During the trial, some of these messages were read aloud, revealing Auster’s declarations of love and his desire to have a sexual relationship with the girl. He kept their relationship secret from his wife, which added to the gravity of his misconduct.

Judge Tulk emphasized that the messages provided compelling evidence of Auster’s criminal behavior and the impact it had on the young girl. She expressed her concern that Auster appeared to have been swept up in the allure of having a young, articulate girl hanging on his every word, and she criticized his lack of remorse or acknowledgment of wrongdoing. The court heard that Auster, who resides on Main Street in Newton-upon-Derwent, had no prior convictions and had maintained his ghost walk business during the legal proceedings. His defense argued that he had been caring for a seriously ill 93-year-old relative and that there had been no prior suspicion or investigation into any inappropriate conduct.

Despite these arguments, the judge made it clear that the seriousness of the offense warranted a custodial sentence. Auster was also ordered to register as a sex offender for seven years, a standard requirement for such convictions. The judge, who delivered her sentence via a video link from Aylesbury Crown Court, stated that only imprisonment was appropriate given the nature of the crime.

In addition to the jail term, Auster’s actions have led to significant consequences. The jury’s verdict was unanimous, and the court’s findings underscore the severity of his misconduct. The case has brought to light the dangers associated with individuals who exploit their positions of trust and authority, especially within the context of community-based entertainment and tourism. The community of York, along with Newton-upon-Derwent, now faces the aftermath of this troubling case, which highlights the importance of vigilance and safeguarding vulnerable young people from predatory behavior.